The Wolf and the Woodsman follows Évike, a pagan girl with magic, who is chosen to be sacrificed to save her village. Only Évike doesn’t actually have any magical powers. As Évike and the Woodsman journey through a dangerous forest, an unlikely alliance is struck. It soon becomes clear they have a mutual enemy. Évike and Gáspár, secretly the disgraced prince, must fight to stop Gáspár’s brother from violently seizing the throne. As Évike searches for her estranged father and magic that she can wield, both Évike and Gáspár must make difficult choices about what to do with their power.

The Wolf and the Woodsman was a lyrical and dark journey. Ava Reid creates a gripping story filled with lush details and excellent Jewish representation. Inspired by Hungarian history and Jewish mythology, the careful details and references woven into the larger tale shine. The magic system is complex and magic always demands a price. Évike is such a strong and fierce character who relentlessly fights for her goals. The writing is rich and descriptive, absolutely beautiful. If you enjoy reading about twisted politics, dark magic, and captivating romance then you need to read The Wolf and the Woodsman! Thank you so much to Ava Reid, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.